Hydraulic clutch.



. PATENTEDS'EPT.24,1907. A. J. FIPPARD.

HYDRAULIC CLUTCH.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 18, 1907.

No. 866,926. I

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

W/m/EssES \y No. 866,926. I PATENTED SEPT. 24, 1907.

, A. J. PIPPARD.

HYDRAULIC CLUTCH.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

EATENT' OFFICE.)-

ARTHUR JOHNIFIPPARD, OF LONDON, ENGLAND.

nrnnaomc cLocrcn; p

To all whom it may concern:

Be it. known that I, ARTHUR .IonN Frrrann, elec- .:'trical engineer, asubject of the King of England, and

residing at 39 Victoria street, Westminster, London,

'England, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in HydraulicClutches, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact descriptionand for which I have applied for Letters Patent in Great Britain, datedApril 19, 1906, No. 9,236 of 1906.

This invention relates to improvements in hydraulic clutches and isparticularly designed for use upon automobile vehicles but can also beemployed-for connecting and disconnecting machinery and for othersimilar purposes.

The two portions of the clutch forming the driver and the followermembers are provided with an annular groove or annular chamber in whichblocks, segments or the like are arranged, these segments closelyfitting the groove as to width and depth-and being arranged with spacesbetween one another; the rece ss is provided in one member of the clutchand the blocks orsegments are fitted in or connected to the othermember. The annular chamber is afforded by a recessed device which canbe rendered eccentric to the centgs of the driver and follower; thesetwo parts of the clutch maybe formed as plates or disks of any suitablesection and. they are arranged to form an oiltight casing. Pins orpivots are fitted to the segments and engage with slot-s or grooves inone of the plates or disks. These slots may be of any desired shape andbe set at such angles or positions as may be found convenient. Theblocks rotate with the plate or disk to which they are fitted and indoing so they travel .circumferentially around the annular recess orchamber unless locked in it byloil or other suitable fiilidin the mannerhereinafterdescribed. The plates or disks are mounted on axles havingcommon centers with means for altering the',centers to cause thedevice-affording the annular chamber to assume a position" in which thesaid chamber is eccentric to said centers. The power is thus transmittedthrough the clutch by the compression of liquid between segments in theeccentric groove within. which the said segments have a pulsat upperhalfis a section on. line A B and the lower half on lineAC of Fig'. :1. Fig.3 is a sectional elevation on line X-Y of 1. Fig. 4 is a part sectionsimilar to Fig. l of an Oldham cpupling in place of the universaljointin Fig; '1. Fig; 5.is a sectional side elevation of a modifiedform offtheclutch. Fig. 6 is a Specification of Letters Patent Application filedMarch 13,1907. stra ns. 303,048.

Patented Sept. 24, 1907.

front elevation, part section of the form illustrated in Fig. 5; theright half is a section on line AB and the left a section on line CD ofFig. 5. Fig. 7 is a perspective view of: the follower member detached,and.

on a smaller scale. Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the plunger valve. Io i As shown in Fig. 1, the improved fluid prises' two members thedriver a and the follower b. The drivera is coupled direct to the engineor other source of power or to its gearing by means of the flange a, andhas a casing c of any suitable construction clutch combolted to it. Thefollower b is free to rotate inside the case 0.

The follower b has an annular groove d cut in it-and in this chamber arefitted three, four orany suitable number of segmgnts c, said segmentshaving fitted to them heads or slippersf, Which can freely turn upon thepins g formed on the segments. This annular groove d forms a chamber forliquid and a race for the seg mentsc. Oil or other suitable liquid isplaced in the chamber at to fill it completely; The follower member b isconnected tothe secondary shaft k, which in turn may be cbupled to theroad wheels, or to other machines, wheels or their gear by means ofuniversal joints '5 j or shnilar means ofany suitable construction andby this provision of universal joints the member b can'move in anydirection within the casing c. The driver member a has a disk Itprovided with radial,

tangential or other slots Z of any desired shape. The

m being eccentric to that member." A singlethread or spiral o is cutpartly round the shaft m in which" p, thus causing the pin m to turn outof its normal center and become eccentric to it. By this movement of thepin m the member b is displaced and also becomes eccentric to its normalaxis, thus causing the slots l in the membera to act-on-the slippers fof segments e in the member b in such a way as to vary the spacesbetween them. While the member b was in its normal position, thesegments a were disposed at equal inter-v vals around the groove andpreserved this regular spacing in their travel. The movement of themember b .to an eccentric position, however, causes the segments tocrowd together towards one point in the circumference, while movingapart towards the oppovaries between these two extreme values.

within which recess a number, say four, of segments e site point. Asthey travel round the race d the spacing This variation or pulsationproduces pressure on part of the liquid between the segments e and thusa grip or hold is produced between the two members or disks a and b andthe one is then capable of driving the other.

The groove or race d has holes or openings d which when the members areconcentric, coincide with a circular channel 0" cut in the case 0 (shownonly in Figs. 1 and 4) so that oil can intercommunicate in the spacesbetween theisegments. When the member I) is moved eccentrically theholes d leave the channel 0 to a suiiicient extent first to throttle theoil at the holes d and then entirely to shut it off and so create thegrip or clutching action.

In the modification shown in .Figs. 5 to 8 the clutch is again providedwith the annular groove or chamber d arranged eccentric to the center ofthe axles.

The member b has the chamber or race d cut in it are arranged at adistance from each other, and in such a manner that they occupy the fullwidth and depth of the recess d but are ableto travel round in it. The

fluid is placed in this recess or chamber and preferably I occupies allavailable space within the casing e. The segments 6 6 having pinsg'a'ndslippers f as before lit within slots 1 in the disk 7c, thus causing thesegments e to travel in the groove or race ii when the engine is runningfree. The shaft h with square end it has a sliding collar p whichoperates a -valve q of preferably circular shape. This valve worksbackwards and forwards on the guidepi'ns s inside the memb'erb'ar'id'over the port or openi'ng's r in the member b. These ports 1extend from the annular chamber (1 to the interior of, or hollow chamberwithin the member b.

The two members a b have centers 'i'ncommon, and assuming the valve tohave closed the 'po'its r (asslio'wn in Fig. '5) and the member a to berunning, the "slots 1 cause the segments to travelin the recess or raced,

varying the spaces between them'o'wing to the *e'c'centricity of thegroove d in the member I).

It will be obvious that when the oil is locked between the segments,this variation cannot take place and thus a grip or hold "is producedbetween the members a and b and the one is then'capable'of'driving theother. If "however the valve "q is withdrawn 'by' means of the collar pso as to uncover the port 1', the'segments 0 can 'force the oil out andin through the ports,

according to the movements'of the segments in relation to each other.The liquid being then free to 'pass through the ports 1' the'clutch isfree to slip to'an extent dependent on the extent to which the ports 1are uncovered. The valve can be operated so that this escapii'i'g orfreeing of the oil 'can be adjusted entirely to free one member fromtheother or to do so only partially, thus'obtaining any desired slipbetween the:

states The casing may be filled and emptied of its oil or other liquidby'mcans of any suitable pipes and cocks or screw threaded plugs.

Instead of the universal joint 1' 1' shown in Fig. 1, an Oldham couplingi i may be used between the follower member b and its shaft h, as shownin Fig. 4.

In this invention, as shown in the accompanying drawings, either memberis capable of driving the other in both directions of rotation. It is tobe understood that the improved clutch can be made in various differentshapes and sizes, and that the members can be of any suitable section;one member has a recess or groove and the other has means for carryingthe blocks or segments.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as such and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is l. A hydraulic clutch comprising driver andfollower members, an annular recess in one of said members, blocksfitting said recess and connected to the other member, means for causingrelative motion of said blocks within said recess, and means for causing1). variable resistance -lncluding a piece recessed annularly, blocksfitting said annulairecess and having pins whereon are mounted slipperswhich extend into said disk slots and liquid circulated by said blocks.

3. A hydraulic clutch comprising a driver member, a casing secured tosaid driver, a slotted disk arranged within said casing and secured tosaid driver, a follower memher also arranged within said casing, anannular chamber in said toilowe'r member, blocks fitting said annularchamber and adapted to travel cirdum-terentially therein and extensionsfrom said blocks passing into said slots so as to be controlled by saidslots, and liquid circulated by said blocks.

4. A hydraulic clutch comprising a casing, a driver member secured tosaid casing, a disk loch-ted within said cuslng and having slots formedtherein, a follower member having an annular chamber arranged therein,blocks adapted 'to fit "and rim s1 around said annmar chamber, pivotsupon said blocks and slippers 'on said pivots, said slippers arranged totravel in said slots and liquid circulated by ss'd blocks.

'5. A hydraulic clutch comprising a driver member 'hr vinga casing and as'lo'tte'd disk, said casing and disk 'i-ovol'nbie with sa ld driver,-ii fol lower me m'ber ai-ranged within said casing 'and having a shaftpassing out through said casing, ii coupling between said follower andits shaft, an annular groove in said follower, blocks 'fitting saidannuiaigroove and adap'ted to travel 'the'reiu, liquid in said groovebetween sa ls blocks, and extensions from said blocks into tlie slots ofsaid disk.

6. A hydraulic clutch comprising a driver having 'a closed casing and aslotted disk, a follower member aria'nged in said casing, ii'nannular-groove foim'ing a c'linm ber fo'r liquid in said toilower,blocks fitting said chamber and adapted to travel around said annularchamber, extensions from said blocks into said slots and liquidcirculated by said blocks. Y

7. A hydraulic clu'tch comprising a driver having a slotted controllingdisk, a follower member facing said disk, an annular groove forming -achamber for liquid in said follower, blocks fitting said chamber,extensions from said blocks engaging with said slots and means forvarying the amount of slip between the-driver and the 'fo'llower.

8. A hydl'fll'illc clutch comprising 11 driven member hflving a closedcasing and a slotted disk, a follower member arranged in said casing, anannular groove forming a seems ber arranged in said casing, a couplingbetween said follower and a shaft passing out through said casing, anannular groove forming a chamber for liquid in said follower, saidfollowerbeing held against said casing, means for interconnecting to avariable extent various points in the circumference of said groove,blocks fitting said annular chamber, and extensions from said. blocksengaging 'wlth said slots in the driver disk.

10. In a hydraulic clutch, thecombination of a' driver member having aslotted disk with a follower member having an annular chamber, blocksfitting said annular chamber 'and adapted to travel the em,extensionsfrom said blocks lnto'said slots, and liqui circulatedby saidblocks.

11. An improved hydraulic clutch containing within a casing a drivingand driven member, mounted on separate shafts, an eccentricaily arrangedgroove in one of the members, blocksconnected to theother member anddesigned to travel in the said groove, liquid in said groove, and meansfor releasing the liquid when required.

- 12. A hydraulic clutch, comprising a driver member having a casing anda slotted plate, a follower member having an annular groove arrangedtherein, blocks fitting said annular groove and adaptedto traveltherein, extensions from said blocks into said slots of the driverplate, a central chamber in said follower, ports between said annulargroove-and said central chamber, and a valve adapted to control saidports.

13; A hydraulic clutclncomprising a driver member having a casing and aslotted disk, a follower member having an annular groove formed therein,blocks fitting said' groove, extensions from said blocks and slippersupon said extensions, said slippers engaging in the radial slots of-said driver disk, a hollow chamber within said follower portsconnecting said hollow chamber with said annular.

groove, liquid in said chamber and groove and a plunger valve adapted tocontrol the passage of the liquid through the ports, the annular groovein said follower being eccentric to the axis of said follower shaft.

14. A hydraulic clutch comprising a driver member hav- I ing a casingand a slotted disk, a follower member having an annular groove formedtherein, said groove being eccentric to said driver member, blocksfitting said groove, extensions from said blocks and slippers revolubleupon said extensions, said siippersengaglng in the slots of the driverdisk. a chamber for liquid within the followerpports between saidchamber and the annular groove, and a valve movable within said chamberand over the ports so as to control the passage of liquid through theports.

15. A hydraulic clutch comprising a driver member having a casing and aslotted disk, a follower member. having an annular groove formedtherein, said groove being eccentrlc to said driver member, blocksfitting said groove, pivots from saidblocks and slippers on said pivots,said slippers being engaged in the slots of said driver disk, a chamberfor liquid in said follower,l passages between said chamber and saidannular groove, and a displaceable plunger valve guided in said chamberand adapted to cover and control said passages.

16. in a hydraulic clutch, the combination of a driver member having aslotted disk, of a follower member having an annular groove andaninternal chamber for liquid, said groove being eccentric to said drivermember, said groove and chamber communicating by ports, of a plungerfitting said chamber andadupted .to cover said ports, and of blocksfitting said annular groove and traveling therein.

allel guide pins extending outwardly from said follower, a flange fromsaid plunger and holes in said flange to engage said guide pins, and ofblocks fitting said annular groove and traveling therein, said blockshaving extensions into the slots of said driver disk.

ing a casing and a slotted disk, a follower member having an annulargroove formed therein, a wearing ring within said casing and againstwhich said follower member bears, said groove being eccentric to saiddriver member, blocks fitting said groove, pivots from said blocks andslippers on said pivots, said slippers being engaged in the slots ofsaid driver disk,- a chamber for liquid in said follower, passagesbetween said chamber and said annular groove, and a displaceable plungervalve guided in said chamber and adapted to cover and control saidpassages,

19. A hydraulic clutch comprising a driver member having a casing and aslotted disk, a follower member having an annular groove formed therein,said groove eccentric to said driver member, blocks fitting said groove,pivots from said blocks and slippers on said pivots, said slippers beingengaged in the slots of said driver disk, a chamber for said annulargroove, a dlsplaceable plunger valve guided in said chamber and adaptedto cover and control said passages, and'guides for said plungerexternally of said follower.

20. A hydraulic clutch, comprising a driver member having a casing and aslotted disk, a wearing ring within said casing opposite to said slotteddisk, a follower member having an annular groove formed therein, saidannular groove groove, projections from said blocks extending into saidslots in the driver disk, an internal chamber within the follower forliquid, ports between said chamber and said annular groove, and a valvefitting said chamber and adapted to cover and uncover said slots, saidvalve being provided with external guides, and means for displacing saidvalve.

ing a disk provided with slots, a follower member including a devicerecessed to form an annular chamber, blocks fitting said annular chamberand guided. by said slots in said driver disk, and liquid'clrculated bysaid blocks.

22. A hydraulic clutch comprising a driver member hav;

a device recessed to form an annular chamber, blocks fitting saidannular chamber and guided by said slots in said driver disk, and liquidcirculated under pressure by. said blocks through ports in said annularchamber.

ing a disk provided with slots, a follower member, including a devicerecessed to form an annular chamber, said chambcrbelng eccentricto saiddisk, blocks fitting said annular chamber and guided by said slots, andliquid circulated by said blocks.

24. A hydraulic clutch comprising a driver member, having a diskprovided with slots, a follower member provided in presence of ARTHURJOHN Firearm.

Witnesses I ViC'lOR F. FEENY,

Cram J. Fun:

being eccentric to the driver,memher blocks fitting said,

21. A hydraulic clutch comprising a driver member having a disk providedwith slots, a follower member including 23. A hydraulic clutchcomprising a driver member, havwith an annular chamber, blocks fittingsaid annular cham- 18. A hydraulic clutch, comprising a driver memberhav- 4 liquid in said follower, passages between said chamber and

